Canadian Red Cross

This spring, a team of Red Crossers spent a few days in Newfoundland and Labrador as part of a new program we are piloting. This program is a partnership that emerged from our work with communities that were impacted by Hurricane Fiona in 2022. Through it, we are working with rural communities to improve their readiness to respond to emergency events by providing emergency response stock (cots, blankets, hygiene kits, etc.), knowledge, and training. The team visited coastal communities the Rose-Blanche and Burnt Islands, where they had a lovely time visiting their sites, having many constructive conversations, sharing knowledge and discussing what the next steps of this project will look like. We’re excited to continue this work to help communities be better prepared to face emergencies.

The start of the school year is the perfect time to prepare for a safe year ahead!📚✏️🚌 • Know the risks in your community • Make an emergency plan • Get an emergency kit Download our Emergency Plan Template to get started⤵️

Children should have the freedom to learn and play without fear for their safety and well-being. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, this is not the case for many children. In Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (Ukrainian Red Cross) has created safe spaces for children to continue learning and playing since most of the schools in the area are closed. In these spaces, children from across the city and around the region come to play games, do crafts, learn, and get a chance to interact with others their age. Tetiana Solovey, a Ukrainian Red Cross Society volunteer, shares “many of these children were born during the COVID pandemic, and now they are in a conflict.” This means that for many, this is their first time even getting to be around other children or adults outside of their home. Tetiana and her colleagues work hard to create a positive and nurturing environment despite the circumstances, highlighting the determination and resilience of people impacted by the conflict. Photo Credit: Angela Hill / IFRC

Take time this long weekend to take care of yourself with our Psychological First Aid training. Learn how to: ✅ Anticipate stress ✅ Practice self-care ✅ Provide care for others during challenging times Get started today: https://brnw.ch/21wMh98

The Canadian Red Cross has been supporting individuals and families who had to evacuate communities of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Northern Saskatchewan due to wildfires. In Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Regina, Red Cross teams are providing them with services including hotel accommodations, meals, and safety and wellbeing supports to ensure their most urgent needs are being met.

The opioid poisoning crisis continues to be a pressing public health emergency, and responding to it head-on requires knowledge, preparation, and community support. On this #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay, read how our Red Cross Manitoba Health team rolled out a special training for Alltogether4IDEAS. The session was all about spotting signs of opioid poisoning and mastering the use of naloxone - the lifesaver in opioid poisoning emergencies. "Equipping more people with this knowledge could significantly improve our community's preparedness for overdose situations. This training will be instrumental during our outreach program." - Joel, Peer Researcher, Alltogether4IDEAS Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMemD #IOAD2024

The alarming increase in the cases of mpox across Africa has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. There are more than 17,000 suspected or confirmed cases reported in at least 12 African countries and 500 deaths. In recent weeks, many additional countries have reported cases, with some reporting their first-ever mpox cases. Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in the region and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC are responding to the mpox outbreak using a community-based approach and working with partners and governments to stop the spread of the virus. Pictured, are trained Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross volunteers who are working to share health information and hygiene promotion measures with communities to prevent the spread of mpox. Thanks to the Government of Canada Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, the Canadian Red Cross has a humanitarian expert already on the ground in Kenya, who will lead the IFRC response. As this situation continues to unfold, the Canadian Red Cross stands ready to support through our International Disaster Relief Fund (IDRF). Donations to the IDRF allow us the flexibility to rapidly send relief items, humanitarian experts and funding to support communities impacted by emergencies, such as the mpox outbreak. You have the power to support your global community through the IDRF. Visit https://brnw.ch/21wMdok to donate. Photo Credit: Alioune Ndiaye/IFRC

Today we mark the International Day of the Disappeared and stand in solidarity with the families of missing persons, including victims of enforced disappearance, and to commemorate their missing relatives. We want the families of missing persons to know that they are not alone, that their loved ones are not forgotten, and that we will continue to do our outmost to help them obtain the answers and support they deserve. Across the Red Cross Red Crescent Family Links Network, 🕒 Every minute, we help 4 families separated by conflict, violence, migration, and disasters call each other. 🕒 Every hour, we help clarify the fate and whereabouts of 2 missing persons. 🕒 Every day, we facilitate the reunification of 21 people with their families. The Canadian Red Cross Restoring Family Links program helps people in Canada re-establish contact with immediate family members after separation due to armed conflict, natural disaster, migration and other humanitarian crisis. Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wMcW2

Red Crosser Angela Hill reflects on her experience at our Re-entry Support Centre in Jasper, Alberta⬇️ “Everybody is really there to help make that coming back to Jasper a little bit easier on the community.” The Canadian Red Cross continues to support people impacted by wildfires in Alberta with immediate and ongoing relief. Learn more about our response: https://brnw.ch/21wMbrX

A wildfire near Labrador City in July forced the evacuation of residents from Labrador West, many headed to Happy Valley-Goose Bay where the Canadian Red Cross assisted with registration, shelters, emergency supplies, and mental health support. It wasn’t just the Red Cross who came to support in a time of need. Volunteers and organizations came together to provide essential support and comfort to those affected. Discover the inspiring story of resilience and teamwork in our latest blog post: https://brnw.ch/21wM9uV